Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100077
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,935.00
Summary
A geospatial toolkit to assess community risk to environmental change. This project seeks to strengthen our understanding of the role of environmental change in driving patterns of community risk, by building a spatially and temporally explicit model, and a risk index that will be designed with input from decision makers. This project expects to improve the implementation of geospatial tools for risk assessment using an innovative approach based on evidence and practice. Expected outcomes includ ....A geospatial toolkit to assess community risk to environmental change. This project seeks to strengthen our understanding of the role of environmental change in driving patterns of community risk, by building a spatially and temporally explicit model, and a risk index that will be designed with input from decision makers. This project expects to improve the implementation of geospatial tools for risk assessment using an innovative approach based on evidence and practice. Expected outcomes include increased and optimal implementation of geospatial data in Australian systems, and enhanced research capacity to proactively respond to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia . This project aims to improve the quality and integration of population-level data for monitoring the consumption of opioids, licit and illicit, in Queensland communities. The analysis of opioids in wastewater, integrated with opioid use information such as prescription and seizure statistics will vastly increase knowledge of consumption patterns of opioids. By analysing wastewater samples from 2011 and triangulating with ....Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia . This project aims to improve the quality and integration of population-level data for monitoring the consumption of opioids, licit and illicit, in Queensland communities. The analysis of opioids in wastewater, integrated with opioid use information such as prescription and seizure statistics will vastly increase knowledge of consumption patterns of opioids. By analysing wastewater samples from 2011 and triangulating with other datasets, the expected outcomes include building capacity to estimate consumption of all opioids; detecting the misuse of licit and illicit opioids over time. Anticipated benefit is to provide objective evidence of opioid use patterns for decision makers and a framework for a national opioids monitoring program.Read moreRead less
RFIDS: Identifying The Health And Well-being Benefits Of Recreational Fishing
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$29,459.89
Summary
Recreational fishing is a form of outdoor recreation providing physiological, psychological and social benefits to the community. These benefits, while widely recognised, are inherently difficult to identify and quantify. This project will collate research efforts, initiatives and programs currently underway in Australia around the topic of recreational fishing, health and well-being. This investigation will increase understanding of the health and well-being benefits derived from recreational f ....Recreational fishing is a form of outdoor recreation providing physiological, psychological and social benefits to the community. These benefits, while widely recognised, are inherently difficult to identify and quantify. This project will collate research efforts, initiatives and programs currently underway in Australia around the topic of recreational fishing, health and well-being. This investigation will increase understanding of the health and well-being benefits derived from recreational fishing for different community sectors and stages of life. Determination of the health and well-being benefits to communities from recreational fishing will allow for consideration of these factors in allocation of resources. As an outdoor pursuit that can be enjoyed throughout life, it is important that the recreational fishing sector is recognised for promotion of well-being. Factors requiring consideration include a positive impact on mental health, perceived well-being, prevention of chronic disease and associated reductions in health care burden. These and other factors need to be considered for the true value of recreational fishing to be recognised. Recreational fishing is one of the few outdoor recreational activites that can be enjoyed at almost any age regrardless of skill, experieince or disability. Outcomes of Australian Institute of Criminology research investigating sport, physical activity and antisocial behaviour in youth, as well as international efforts such as the UK 'Get Hooked on Fishing' initiative aimed at providing diversions for youth from antisocial behaviour, will be included in the final analysis. This project represents a first step in consolidating the value of recreational fishing across Australia.
Objectives: 1. Identify current research activities and programs in Australia relating to recreational fishing and health or well-being. 2. Investigate the impact of recreational fishing on the health and well-being of Australian Society Read moreRead less
Social Science Research Coordination Program: Identifying, Communicating And Integrating Social Considerations Into Future Management Concerns In Inshore Fisheries In Coastal Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically ....This study documents the needs and concerns of fishers and their families in Queensland coastal regions to expand the corpus of knowledge about fishing as an industry, for the sake of informing government of social impacts, and to incorporate local social considerations into current and future management plans. The study focuses on how fisheries policies impact on fishers and their families socially and culturally, and how these groups negotiate and respond to political, market and ecologically driven management measures. It is significant as it brings together important but little researched aspects of the impact of management decisions on fishers, families and communities. Research is crucial to understand the social legacy of those decisions on the social wellbeing of fishing communities, including the health and quality of life of fishers, families, and those involved in fisheries-related businesses.
Understanding the social costs of policy decisions can help mitigate harmful physical and mental health outcomes, a situation of critical significance to rural, state and national economies. Fishing families and communities are important; they provide substantial regional employment and income to local economies; they underpin the social fabric of many coastal regions which display a strong fishing cultural heritage and are substantial contributors to the social and economic viability of rural communities. However, their ability to weather the social and economic stressors of closures, especially at times of increasing global fisheries pressures, has received limited attention. Few studies have been conducted on the way fishers and their families perceive and value their status as fishers, and how their worldview influences their quality of life, social wellbeing, and their attitudes towards place and the marine environment. Our findings will be of direct use to policy developers in adopting intrinsic measures for social impact assessment, and in integrating local knowledge into future social impact assessments.
Objectives: 1. To examine and compare the attitudes, values and experiences of those involved in viable and vulnerable fisheries, both inshore and offshore, and those fishers and their families who have left the industry; 2. To identify the social and cultural impacts, examining wellbeing, quality of life outcomes and social resilience as a result of fishing closures and fishing effort rationalisation; 3. To examine adjustments in households amongst fishers and spouses; 4. To investigate the ways in which fishers, their families and local communities are adapting to social, economic and ecological change. Read moreRead less
Assessing Bone Quality and Health: Experimental imaging, structural characterisation, and mechanical modelling of bone in 3D. Age-related bone fractures due to osteoporosis impose a significant social and economic problem on our increasingly aging population. The assessment of bone quality is important in the diagnosis of age related bone fragility and for studying the efficacy of therapeutic intervens. In this proposal a unique interdisciplinary group with expertise in bone and mineral research ....Assessing Bone Quality and Health: Experimental imaging, structural characterisation, and mechanical modelling of bone in 3D. Age-related bone fractures due to osteoporosis impose a significant social and economic problem on our increasingly aging population. The assessment of bone quality is important in the diagnosis of age related bone fragility and for studying the efficacy of therapeutic intervens. In this proposal a unique interdisciplinary group with expertise in bone and mineral research, experimental 3D imaging and the characterisation and modelling of complex materials will tackle the problem of assessing bone quality and health. The proposed research will greatly improve our assessment of the mechanical competence of bone.Read moreRead less
People Development Program: WINSC Annual Conference Sponsorship
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,500.00
Summary
The need exists to bring together WINSC members from wide geographical and demographic spheres as well as from a diverse range of women involved in the Australasian Seafood Industry to hold an annual conference and AGM to build the capacity of its seafood women to contribute to their industry.
Objectives: 1. Organise and conduct a successful annual conference
Understanding The Impact Of Social, Economic And Geographic Disadvantage On The Health Of Australians In Mid - Later Lif
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,943,571.00
Summary
This research will examine the ways in which social, economic and environmental factors contribute to the health of Australians in mid to later life. It will help identify ways in which policy and preventive programs can contribute to improving health in mid to later life particularly among disadvantaged Australians. We will explore in detail social, economic and environmental factors in 100,000 people aged 45 and over; this will be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Australia. We ....This research will examine the ways in which social, economic and environmental factors contribute to the health of Australians in mid to later life. It will help identify ways in which policy and preventive programs can contribute to improving health in mid to later life particularly among disadvantaged Australians. We will explore in detail social, economic and environmental factors in 100,000 people aged 45 and over; this will be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Australia. We will examine the relationship between these social, economic factors, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical activity, environmental and obesity. This will enable us to identify where programs and policies should be directed to most rapidly improve the health of disadvantaged Australians.Read moreRead less
Tracking language development of Indigenous children in Central Australia. This project aims to identify language development paths of Indigenous children in Central Australia by examining the spoken language, gesture and sign of children’s early interactions. It expects to generate new knowledge for the health and education sector, and Indigenous families, about children’s language development, enabling reliable identification of typical development. Expected outcomes include theoretical contri ....Tracking language development of Indigenous children in Central Australia. This project aims to identify language development paths of Indigenous children in Central Australia by examining the spoken language, gesture and sign of children’s early interactions. It expects to generate new knowledge for the health and education sector, and Indigenous families, about children’s language development, enabling reliable identification of typical development. Expected outcomes include theoretical contributions to language and cognition internationally and uptake of the findings by Australian health and education sector staff and Indigenous communities. This should provide significant benefits to Indigenous families through increased capacity of families and professionals to identify service needs in language development.Read moreRead less
Predictive analytics from at home telemonitoring of vital signs. Predictive analytics from at home telemonitoring of vital signs. This project aims to reduce unscheduled admissions to hospital, by developing statistical models of people’s health using longitudinal measurements of vital signs and questionnaires. Hospital costs are becoming unsustainable and will overwhelm state budgets within thirty years. Telehealth monitoring to manage chronic disease is becoming increasingly routine internatio ....Predictive analytics from at home telemonitoring of vital signs. Predictive analytics from at home telemonitoring of vital signs. This project aims to reduce unscheduled admissions to hospital, by developing statistical models of people’s health using longitudinal measurements of vital signs and questionnaires. Hospital costs are becoming unsustainable and will overwhelm state budgets within thirty years. Telehealth monitoring to manage chronic disease is becoming increasingly routine internationally and should reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and health service costs. To scale up telehealth services nationally, automated means of assessing changes in an individual health status are needed. This project’s automated risk assessment models are expected to identify exacerbations and orchestrate an optimal response from health services to reduce unscheduled admissions to hospital.Read moreRead less
Staying Healthy: Industry Organisations’ Influence On Behaviours And Services Used By Fishers
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$98,308.00
Summary
Research has found that fishers are subject to a multitude of stressors, including those relating to government policies and co-management challenges, a fluctuating market place, crew cohesion and on-shore social relationships, and the pressures of working in a dangerous workplace. Compounding the well-known physical dangers associated with the fishing industry, these factors all place pressure on fisher mental wellbeing, which in turn contributes to issues such as clinically diagnosed anxiety d ....Research has found that fishers are subject to a multitude of stressors, including those relating to government policies and co-management challenges, a fluctuating market place, crew cohesion and on-shore social relationships, and the pressures of working in a dangerous workplace. Compounding the well-known physical dangers associated with the fishing industry, these factors all place pressure on fisher mental wellbeing, which in turn contributes to issues such as clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders, poor eating habits and substance abuse, eg, evidence from around the world suggests that the particular stresses of fishing contribute to higher than average rates of smoking among fishers. Findings from the RIRDC-funded project Staying Healthy: Behaviours and services used by farmers and fishers indicate that while participants from certain farming industry areas have benefited from industry involvement in health and wellbeing, including in relation to mental health, fishers are less likely to report that industry associations have helped them access health and wellbeing information or programs. Some farmers described significant lifestyle changes after participating in programs that were promoted, sponsored or facilitated by trusted industry organisations. As well, recent research (Brooks, 2011, Health and Safety in the Australian Fishing Industry, RIRDC, Canberra) has found a lack of awareness of occupational health and safety among fishers. The Research Audit of Social Sciences Fisheries Research (Clarke, 2009) noted research findings that social wellbeing is related to financial wellbeing, and that social networking is negatively affected by working hours, suggesting a place for an industry specific approach to social connection and mental health. There appears to be a broking role for industry groups and organisations in enhancing the health of the fishing workforce. This project will identify strategies for industry and fishing community organisations to take on this role in effective, but cost and resource efficient, ways.
Objectives: 1. to explore how industry supports fisher physical health and mental wellbeing 2. to develop and trial a set of case studies and best practice guidelines for industry organisations in enhancing fisher health and wellbeing in collaboration with industry, fishing communities and health stakeholders 3. to evaluate the case studies and best practice guidelines Read moreRead less